October 2, 2026
Rev. Dr. Ernest S. Purcell Sr., 96, of Bainbridge, formerly of Augusta, Ga., passed away Sunday, September 25, 2022.
The funeral service was on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at First Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Humphries, Dr. Eldon Eckard, and Dr. Ken Cloud officiating. Interment followed at Oak City Cemetery with his grandsons, Troy Thomas, Jim Beck, and Julian Sims serving as active pallbearers. Members of Penny-Lambert Sunday school class served as honorary pallbearers.
Ernest Singleton Purcell was born May 18, 1926, in Commerce, Ga., the son of Odis and Bessie Hughes Purcell. After high school, he began his college career at Gilford College. He earned a master's from Southeastern Theological in Wake Forest, N.C., and a Th.D. from Luther Rice College & Seminary. Ernest proudly served his country in during World War II in the United States Navy and during the Korean War in the United States Air Force. He married Julia Marszell Loggins in 1943. He was a member of Bainbridge First Baptist Church.
Dr. Purcell spent his life serving others. He was associational missionary in Hephzibah Association and Douglas, Ga., Association. He pastored churches in Nahunta, Douglas, Wadley, and Augusta, Ga., and Colerain and Greensboro, N.C. After retirement, Dr. Purcell served as interim pastor for churches in both Augusta and Bainbridge. He enjoyed woodworking and kept busy piddling with things all the time. Music was always a part of his life; "pickin & grinnin" made it fun. Dr. Purcell strummed the guitar, mandolin, banjo, and the fiddle. Rarely did you encounter Dr. Purcell that he didn't have a story or joke to share.
Survivors include his children, Ernest S. Purcell Jr. and his wife, Debbie of Bainbridge, and Valerie Purcell Phillips and her husband, Eddie of Augusta; his grandchildren, Trey and Kelley, Josh and Nichole, Julia and Derrick, Jack and Kerrie, and T.J.; 11 great-grandchildren; his three great-great-grandchildren; and his sister, Mildred Seay of Charlotte, NC. In addition to his parents, Dr. Purcell was preceded in death by his wife, Julia Marszell Purcell; and his brothers, Charles Purcell and Jerry Purcell.
Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 155, Bainbridge, GA 39818.
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